Along with about 20 other blossoming artists at the Tipsy Canvas summer camp for kids ages five through 12, Mary spent a fun-filled week of painting and drawing under the guidance of Derek McCormick and his staff.

Upon entering the gallery, one immediately notices most kids are covered head to foot in multi-colored paint. The product of such messy fun is evident in the splotchy and sprayed collage in the center of the room, made by each student as they take turns splashing a wet paint brush over a number of blank canvases on the ground.

"It's wild and crazy," said instructor Rachel Miller. "They get to make a big mess and get paint all over them."

The 24-year-old graduate of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi's art department said she enjoys teaching kids at the summer camp.

"I walk them step by step through the painting and I give them time to be creative and make it personal," she said. "You really get to see their personalities."

Aimed at a more adult crowd, the gallery's mainstay is art classes for older aspiring painters taught by local artists who give the Tipsy Canvas its name.

"Normally we do adult classes," McCormick said. "You can bring in your own wine and beer."

When not drinking and painting with the older clientèle, McCormick said he was glad to host the hugely-popular summer camp for kids. The summer's last week-long session begins today.

"We're completely sold out," said the 30-year-old. "Things have really picked up this summer."

As he began to clean up on the last day of a previous camp, McCormick smiled and laughed when he looked at the finished, paint-slashed collage.